300g (10.58 ounces) or 1 1/2 cup butter or margarine
6 or 300g (10.58 ounces) eggs
3 cups or 660g (23.28 ounces) sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
dash of marsala (optional)
3/4 cup or 90g (3.17 ounces) cocoa powder
1 1/4 cups or 190g (6.7 ounces) self raising flour (or use plain flour and add 1 1/2 tsp baking powder)
(optional – you can add nuts, dried fruit or chocolate chips)